Russia refuses radioactive tennis sand

MOSCOW A special mix of sand and clay for covering tennis courts that Russia imported from Sweden for a Davis Cup match was radioactive and had to be sent back.

The 45-ton mixture was detained by Russian customs officials who found it to be emitting radiation at seven times the normal level, said the captain of the Russian team, Shamil Tarpishchev.

Swedish officials said the increased radiation level was caused by trace remains of radon, and that it would quickly disappear as the gas evaporates. But Russia insisted that the mix be shipped back, adding that destroying it would have cost Moscow $1 million, Tarpishchev said.

Radon is a natural radioactive gas that is a byproduct of decaying uranium deposits, which are present in nearly all soil. Radon is considered to be the second-leading cause of lung cancer.

Ordering the mixture from Sweden had been recommended by the International Tennis Federation. After the shipment was found to be radioactive, the ITF allowed Russia to use domestically produced sand for the tournament, Tarpishchev said.